MTSO named to top 20 list for multifaith education

Methodist Theological School in Ohio has been recognized as one of America’s top 20 seminaries in multifaith education. The list was released by the Center for Multifaith Education at Auburn Theological Seminary, a center for religious leadership and theological research based in New York City.

Auburn studied 150 schools before publishing its unranked top-20 list of institutions for "Beyond World Religions: The State of Multifaith Education in American Theological Schools," a first-of-its-kind study. The authors cited MTSO’s stated commitment to "individual wholeness, social justice, inclusiveness and religious diversity," and recognized Paul Numrich, MTSO’s professor of interreligious relations. Numrich recently authored the book "The Faith Next Door: American Christians and Their New Religious Neighbors," published by Oxford University Press USA.

"It’s gratifying to receive this recognition," said MTSO President Jay Rundell. "Every day the headlines remind us how much work we all still have to do in understanding and appreciating the world’s many great faith traditions. We can’t imagine preparing religious leaders without providing them the tools to interact knowledgably and respectfully with those who hold different beliefs."

MTSO offers a wide variety of courses focusing on non-Christian faiths and interreligious relations, including classes on Islam, Buddhism, Rabbinic literature and Christian-Muslim relations. All of the school’s Master of Divinity students complete an immersion experience in a cross-cultural setting. A group of MTSO students and faculty recently returned from a summer cross-cultural trip to Namibia.

Located in Greater Columbus on U.S. Route 23, Methodist Theological School in Ohio is an ecumenical school, preparing transformational leaders for service to the church and the world. MTSO offers master’s degrees in divinity, counseling ministries, theological studies and Christian education, as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree. For more information, visit www.mtso.edu.